Kiwi Ferns sensation Mele Hufanga is set to have NRLW clubs queuing for her services after declaring ahead of the World Cup final against Australia that she wanted to play in the expanded 2023 competition.
Hufanga has been one of the break-out stars of the World Cup but the rugby union convert revealed that she almost ruled herself out of representing New Zealand after being approached to play for Tonga in the mid-season Test.
The 28-year-old had previously played for the Pacific nation in the 2020 Test against the Kiwi Ferns and captained the Tonga rugby union team at this year’s Oceania Championships in New Zealand.
Hufanga immense for Kiwi Ferns
However, after realising Tonga weren’t in the Women’s World Cup, Hufanga withdrew and set her sights on breaking into the Kiwi Ferns side from the local Auckland competition.
After playing for the Blues in the inaugural season of Super Rugby Aupiki earlier this year, Hufanga joined the Ponsonby Ponies and was chosen by Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry in a World Cup train-on squad.
“I am grateful that I chose to come this pathway because it was just a risk that I was willing to take,” Hufanga said.
“I wanted to play in the Test match between Tonga and New Zealand but obviously Tonga is not in the World Cup, so I thought why not try to make the Kiwi Ferns, and here I am.”
Hufanga has played three games for the Kiwi Ferns and she has got better with each one, winning player of the match in the 20-6 semi-final defeat of England after running 185 metres, making 13 tackle breaks and scoring a try.
Convert Hufanga ready for final
“I was with the Blues but I have always had my eye on league,” she said. “I enjoy it heaps and playing both codes I knew it was going to come to a point in my life where I have to choose just one.
“That might be right now. I have enjoyed every moment of this campaign, the experience has been amazing.”
Asked if she wanted to play in the NRLW next season, Hufanga said: “100 per cent, but I just want to get the World Cup out of the way and then I can see where I am going to go from there”.
With Canberra, Cronulla, North Queensland and Wests Tigers entering the expanded 10-team competition next season, clubs are clamouring for players and Hufanga would be in the sights of most.
However, the Broncos may have an advantage as Hufanga grew up playing alongside prop Amber-Paris Hall and their school girl combination has given the Kiwi Ferns the most destructive right edge at the World Cup.
Amber Hall the wrecking ball
“I have just been going out there to enjoy my footy and just having the opportunity to play alongside players like Amber is something I am grateful for,” Hufanga said.
“She is scary on the field but she is a softy off it so I am glad she is on our team.”
Hall told abc.net.au: “I've been trying to get her over to Brisbane for ages. Hopefully, she joins me next year, wherever I am."
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Henry said he wasn’t surprised by the attention Hufanga’s performances had generated at the World Cup.
“Back home in New Zealand, Mele is a well-known footy player so everyone has seen her talent in the past,” Henry said.
“We are just glad she is on our team and she has done a good job, but we have still got one more game to go and she will be up against some of the best centres in the world.”